“Happy Day” Event Promotes Happiness Through Film

By Vanessa Wolf

Dr. Gary Greenberg presents next week. Courtesy photo.

Next Friday, Aug. 16, Mental Health Kokua and the Angkor Wat International Film Festival present the “Happy Day” event at the MACC’s McCoy Studio Theater.

Sponsored by Bank of Hawaii and Donna Jafe, the mission of the event is to promote happiness through the preservation of culture and the environment.

Things kick off at 10 a.m. with “Wild Africa,” a 3D nature film.

Then at noon is the 3D “Cirque Du Soleil – Worlds Away.” The 2012 film involves a young woman who is entranced by an aerialist. When they fall into the dreamlike world of Cirque du Soleil and are separated, they travel through the different tent worlds trying to find each other. Brace yourself for clowns and men in tights.

Organizer Robert Stone added, “The good news for parents and kids is that school is out that day and the first two screenings at 10 a.m. and noon – Wild Africa and Cirque Du Soleil – are free for children 12 and under.”

At 2 p.m. is “Bhutan – The Height of Happiness” (2D).

Long thought of as a secluded paradise, Bhutan is renowned for rejecting economic prosperity in pursuit of ‘Gross National Happiness.’ For centuries, its benevolent kings ignored technological advances, seeking to protect their people from outside influences. Then, overnight, 47 satellite stations descended on the country. The film explores whether Bhutan’s mythical spiritual principles can withstand this Western influence.

At 4 p.m., attendees can watch “Chasing Ice,” a 2D film.

“Chasing Ice” is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of climate change. Using time-lapse cameras, his videos compress years into seconds and capture ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate.

At 7 p.m. is the main event.

Dr. Gary Greenberg will be presenting a talk entitled, “A Three-Dimensional Journey into the Magical Microscopic World of Ordinary Things.”

During this presentation, attendees will see moon dust from the Apollo Moon Mission in three dimensions along with other natural wonders.

Dr. Greenberg’s presentation will be followed by the film “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” in 3D.

“Cave of Forgotten Dreams” explores the Chauvet Cave in the south of France.

“Given unprecedented access to the Chauvet Cave, a vast archeological repository, legendary director Werner Herzog and a minimal crew of four crawl through tunnels and balance on delicate metal catwalks, filming the extraordinary and breathtaking cave paintings found within.”

The cost to attend the entire day is $27 plus applicable fees.

Individual films can be viewed for $7 each, plus applicable fees.

Have an idea for a fun, funny or thought-provoking story or topic? Get in touch: we want to hear from you. – Vanessa (@mauinow.com)